, 1887-02-04

rupted JACK, in his turn, rising from his
seat with crcditablc calmne>s. Il sec 1t vs.
OF no use. | put my pride in my pocket,
and / deserve this rebuff. I am sorry for
having occupied your time"
-Of all the %confounded inpertincnt"-
''Silence!' cried Jack, checking the ris-
ing stream Of his unclc's vitupcration with
a sharp exclamation which rang through
the Office Il did not come here to he in
suited. | neither know nor care what
your opinion IT me is. but I'll trouble YOU
To be civil
Old Josiah shrank beneath his nephcw's
indignant gnzr. for he WINS secretly fright
encd and subdncd by the spirit which the
young man displayed when reused. He
bent over his desk and began iidgeting
about with the papers upon it. but he
could not refrain from firing II parting
shot.
you say you have not spoken to Mr..
Martincau about ON engagement to his
daughter he remarked, as Jack reached
the door.
Not nj present. | must now, and
take my chance, - said the young man,
rather rlIefully.
AT all events, ! shall feel it my duty
10 put Mr. Martineau on his gunrd, ~ said
old Josiah. taking up n pen with n ner-
Nous gesture. lie is an old friend, and
rs you are my nephew | consider that |
ought to acquaint him with what IL go
ing on
There is no occasion for your inter
ference, Uncle Josiah, =" said Jack, taking
an angry stride into the room.
II am the best Judge Of that -" returned
his uncle
Look here, uncle, " said Jack. lifting
his finger warningly, leave me to man
mn. my npp affairs nrnunfsn. TINT 1
will Immediately inform Mr.. Martineau
Of my engagement to his daughter. There
is NJ need whatever to put yourself for
ward; and what is more" added the
young man, with rising color, IT You do
you shall repent it. Now mind thnti'
Old Josiah Flegg was naturally indig
nant at his nephew's menacing tone. but
he did not venture TO say another word,
and allowed Jnck to depart without
further interruption. To tell the truth,
he felt vaguely uneasy at the threat which
had been addressed to him, without quite
knowing why. He could not conceive that
it was within the power Of his nephew 10
10 him any harm, and yet his cowardly
nature WINGED at III he regarded as All
empty boast. However, he was not suf-
ficiently impressed to be deferred from
carrying out his intention. II IL had only
been a question of embarrassing his
nephew, he might have resisted the teInpta
ton, out OF the abundance Of his caution.
But he was rather proud of his acquaint-
ancc with Mr.. Martineau, who AS n rich
and successful Spectator in his own line
Of business, was the object of his peculiar
regard and veneration. Anything he
could do which might be interpreted into
. favor or obligation would no doubt in
the end prove profitable to himself, and he
Ill - l-..l 49,. - .-.ll .- NJ.
Mnrtineau's gratitude by opening his eyes
10 his daughters engagement, and warn
ing him of his would be son-in-law's char
actcr and prospects. Old Josiah Flegg
was too grasping to lose the least oppOr-
tunity of promoting the interests Of his
business, while he was mean enough not
10 be overscrupulous about the methods
he employed
He therefore put ON his hat and called
Immediately at Mr.. Martineau's office.
where, to his great relief, he saw no sign
OF Jack. He had the satisfaction of i'm
parting to his friend the first intimation
OF his daughters engagement, and of re
ceiving his warm thanks for his trouble.
He was u little disappointed to find that
MIR Martineau, though as averse ns other
rich men to a poor s~on-in-law, showed
considerable liking for Jack, and spoke
hhll ItkIttlullN VI putting IL sup " tlt
engagement, as though II very little per
suasion from an influential quarter would
have inade him sanction 1t. But old Jo-
siah was careful not to urge his ncphew's
suit, and to account for his reticence he
felt iInpellcd to drop II few insignificant
hints about jacks character from his
point of view. The result was that Mr..
Martineau was seized with sudden indig
nation, for he sat down then and there
and pcnned "a brief note to poor lack
which could hardly fail to convince him of
the utter hopelcssness of his aspirations.
Old Josiah endeavored TO convince him
self that lie had only discharged an I'M
pleasant, but unavoidable, duty; hut he
did not enjoy his triumph so much as he
had anticipated. jacks words of warn
ing still rams in his ears, and consequently
when his nephew was announced the fol
lowing afternoon, he felt disagreeably ap-
prehcnsive.
Il have had IA note from Mr., Martineau,
uncle, said the young man, seating him
self gravely; and a. 1t arrived before l
had time To call upon him, it is evident
that | am indebted to your kin Offices, -
Il told you | should inform Mr.. Mar
t%ine0u," said old Josiah, endeavoring to
hide his confusion.
And ! told you that you would repent
doing So retorted Jack, with ominous
calmcss. Now, Uncle Josiah, your un-
friendly conduct has just nervcd me to
perform, ON my part, an unpleasant duty.
| have had 1t on my mind to speak to you
for some time, but the fear OF hurting your
feelings has hitherto restrained me. How
ever, you haven't spared my feelings, have
You, uncle"
What arc you driving att" inquired old
-lnatth Ahnrflx